What Are Infectious Diseases Bacterial

Published at 03/27/2012 20:07:16

About infectious bacterial diseases

Introduction

Bacterias are living things that have only one cell and can only be seen under a microscope. Most bacteria do not hurt people and in fact some of them are used in making healthy foods such as cheese and yogurt. Infectious bacterial diseases are illnesses that are caused by bacteria. The harmful bacteria that cause diseases and infections are known as pathogenic bacteria. Infectious bacterial diseases occur when the pathogenic bacteria enter the body and begin to multiply such that they crowd out the healthy bacteria and grow in the sterile tissues. Harmful bacteria also emit toxins that harm the body.

Common types of infectious bacterial diseases

The infectious bacterial diseases are divided into three main categories that are listed below;Gastrointestinal infectionsthese infections are caused by pathogenic bacteria like the; Campylobacter species, salmonella, shigella, and E. coli O157:H7. These infections are mainly characterized by diarrhea that sometimes leads to death.

Campylobacter jejuni: this is the most common cause of diarrhea due to bacterial infections. It is transmitted by consuming contaminated food, water and contact with infected animals like cats and puppies.

Salmonella: this is also a common cause of bacterial diarrhea. Pregnant women, children, people with a compromised immune system and the elderly are at a higher risk of being attacked by this bacteria. It is transmitted through exposure to contaminated food especially eggs, water and contact with infected animals like the reptiles.

Shigella: it leads to watery and bloody diarrhea that is accompanied by abdominal pain, fever and malaise.

Respiratory infections

Upper respiratory tract infections: they are caused by a common bacteria known as Haemophilus influenzae.

Lower respiratory tract infections: this include acute, chronic and health care related pneumonia and bronchitis. It is mainly caused by S. pneumonia that attacks both the healthy and immunocompromised people.

Otitis media: it affects the middle ear in children and it is caused by S. pneumoniae.

Tuberculosis (TB): it is prevalent in the overcrowded areas and to HIV positive people. Its progress depends on the patient nutritional status.

Skin infectionsthe main skin infections include; impetigo, boils, carbuncles, cellulitis, and complications from burns. Skin infections are mainly caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, group A streptococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infections that are caused by A streptococci can lead to severe kidney inflammation that can result to kidney failure.

Risk factors

Infectious bacterial diseases can attack at any time but there are some factors that increase the risk of contracting these diseases. These risk factors are listed below.

Eating undercooked eggs and meat

Being an infant and of old age

Having chronic and immune suppressing diseases

Malnutrition

Eating expired food or food that has been stored poorly for more than two days

Having a compromised immune body system due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, cancer or diabetes

Having a genetic predisposition to infectious bacterial diseases

Exposure to a person or animal that has infectious bacterial diseases

Not washing hands after using the bathrooms and handling food that is contaminated by bacteria

Preventing infectious bacterial diseases

Avoiding contact with an infected person or animal

Defrosting foods that is from the fridge

Washing hands after visiting the washrooms, after handling contaminated foods and after sneezing

Eating a healthy diet that is rich in whole grains and vegetables

Minimizing stress and getting enough rest

Getting the recommended vaccines against the infectious bacterial diseases

Wearing long pants and long sleeved tops and using insect repellants when visiting wooded areas with tall grass